desire
dih-ZEYE-uh
Desire (verb) means to want something strongly. Example: “She desired nothing more than a quiet life by the sea.”
verb
1
To want something strongly.
"She desired nothing more than a quiet life by the sea."
"He desired to travel the world before settling down."
"Many travellers desire peace and quiet after a long, noisy journey."
noun
1
A strong feeling of wanting something.
"His desire for success drove him to work long hours."
"There was an obvious desire between them from the first meeting."
"She felt a sudden desire to run outside and play in the snow."
How to use desire
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA strong want or wish, or the act of strongly wanting something.
Common pairings
a burning desire
desire for change
sexual desire
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Word forms
- Plural
- desires
- Third person singular
- desires
- Past tense
- desired
- Archaic forms
- desirest, desiredst, desireth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ nothing more than a quiet life by the sea.
Etymology
From Old French desirer, from Latin desiderare, "to long for, to feel the want of" — possibly tied to sidus ("star"), as in longing for something once seen in the stars.
Synonyms
View more →
crave
long for
yearn for
wish for
covet
hanker after
want-to
ambition
appetite
appetition
aspiration
avidity
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for desire
See all rhymes for desire →Frequently asked questions
What does “desire” mean?
The word “desire” means to want something strongly. In plain terms, a strong want or wish, or the act of strongly wanting something.
How do you pronounce “desire”?
“Desire” is pronounced dih-ZEYE-uh (/dɪˈzaɪɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “desire” in a sentence?
Here is “desire” used in a sentence: “She desired nothing more than a quiet life by the sea.”
What is another word for “desire”?
Words with a similar meaning to “desire” include want-to, ambition, appetite, appetition, aspiration and avidity.
What is the opposite of “desire”?
The opposite of “desire” — its antonyms — are apathy, contempt, disinterest, distaste and hatred.
What part of speech is “desire”?
Depending on how it is used, “desire” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “desire” come from?
The word “desire” comes from Latin. From Old French desirer, from Latin desiderare, "to long for, to feel the want of" — possibly tied to sidus ("star"), as in longing for something once seen in the stars.
Is “desire” a common word?
“Desire” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'desire' and 'want'?
Both mean to wish for something, but desire is stronger and more intense than want. Want is everyday and can be mild — you want a cup of tea. Desire suggests a deeper, more emotional longing and often sounds more formal or passionate. All desiring is wanting, but not all wanting is desiring.
Can desire be controlled?
To an extent, yes. You cannot always stop a desire from arising, since strong wants can appear on their own. But you can choose how you respond — whether to act on it, delay it, or let it pass. Many traditions, from philosophy to psychology, focus on managing desire rather than erasing it.
Is desire an emotion?
Desire is closely tied to emotion but is better described as a strong motivational state — a powerful pull toward something you want. It often comes wrapped in feelings such as excitement, longing, or hope, and it drives people to act. So while not a pure emotion, it is deeply emotional.
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